Shattered Heart

by Ann Stewart

  “What are we going to do about her?”

  Alex leans down, his lips brushing against mine. “I protect what’s mine. Let me worry about her. She won’t touch you or this baby.”

  “I can’t let her hurt the baby, Alex. I can’t. You have to promise me.” I look into his face, pleading with him to give me some sense of security after months of unease.

  “Cross my Hart.” He marks an x on my chest, giving me a dimpled grin.

  Unraveling his arms, Alex takes my hand in his, pulling me towards Rachel.

  “That was an impressive right hook, Rachel,” Alex jokes as he pulls me to his side. I wrap my arm around his waist.

  Rachel giggles as she shakes her hand. “It still stings. Movies make it seem so simple.” We share a laugh as Rachel looks between the two of us. “So, you guys are good?”

  I look up at Alex. The truth set me free, well that and letting go of my job. Although the pictures of him with her still bother me, I know that I have no right to be angry with him.

  “We have a lot to work through.”

  Alex kisses me on my temple. “Yes, but we will work through it together.”

  “So no U-Haul and bothering the guys to move your stuff to my place tomorrow?”

  Alex answers for me. “She’s still moving, just into our house.” Alex reaches into his pocket, pulling out a key.

  “Merry Christmas, Hart.” He places it in my palm.

  “What’s this?”

  “Our new home.”

  Excuse me? Our new home? What, when, how?

  “When?”

  “I placed an offer on it the week you agreed to move in with me. I’m not going to lie. I almost cancelled, but I just couldn’t. I wasn’t ready to give up on us just yet.”

  “Well, it seems you guys are on the right track. I better get out of here before the cops come. Keep your cell phones on in case I need bail.” She laughs as she gets into her car. “I’ll call you tomorrow, El. Love you.”

  “Love you more.” I wave goodbye as Rachel pulls out and drives away.

  “So what now?”

  “Make-up sex. Lots and lots of make-up sex.” Alex pulls me into a constricting embrace before kissing me as if there was no tomorrow.

  This is far from my happily ever after. I can’t live in my fairy tale until I know the wicked witch has been destroyed. But I can enjoy the brief moment of joy and triumph while Alex eagerly kisses me, deepening it with each move of his tongue.

  EPILOGUE

  Jesus. How did I ever find this sniveling, pathetic, spineless waste of air attractive enough to let him inside me? I really need to remind myself to douche later on. His weak sperm might cause a malfunction in my uterus.

  “I did everything you asked of me. I followed her. I took those pictures. I delivered them to her. I basically ruined her life. She’ll never forgive me.” Cole takes his head into his hands as he sits on the edge of the bed. I can’t stand when men cry. They might as well grow a vagina and get the word “pussy” tattooed on their forehead.

  This façade is growing cumbersome. Cole may have outgrown his intended purpose. He couldn’t even get the simple task of following her right.

  “I need you to get your clothes on and leave. I have company coming.” I blot at the corners of my lips with a tissue, removing any remnants of our brief time together. Cole’s a sloppy kisser. It’s as if his tongue has a mind of its own; traveling to the four corners of my mouth erratically. Its times like these that make me miss Alex. No not miss; crave. Missing someone is a weak emotion. Craving is how your body communicates sheer primal attraction.

  “Who?” Cole lifts his head, looking at me over his shoulder. I stand and walk over to the couch to grab my silk kimono robe draped over the arm.

  “Those photos weren’t enough to break her. I want her begging for her life to end. I want her to watch as everyone she’s ever loved is taken away from her. Then, I’ll finally be satisfied.”

  “The photos were convincing. We staged it perfectly. She’ll never get over the thought of the two of you being together; regardless if it’s true or not.”

  “It would have happened. Just a little more coercion and he would have…”

  “Who are you kidding, Arianna?” Cole stands in frustration; re-buttoning his jeans and pulling on his jeans. “He was completely wasted. The last thing he wanted to do was fuck. I had to practically glue his hands on you to take those photos.”

  “Fuck off, Cole.” I tighten my robe around myself.

  “I can’t do this anymore.” He sounds pathetic and looks even worse with his head bowed down. Why I thought he would have enough conviction to follow through is beyond me at this point.

  “Can’t do what? Fuck me or go ahead with what we agreed.” I stand with my hand resting on my hip. If he thinks this is over, he has another thing coming.

  “She doesn’t deserve this.” Here we go again. I don’t know what it is about that girl, but she must have some fairy dust inside her because she makes men stupid. Alex threw away everything I gave him for what? Love? Ha!

  “No, she doesn’t; she deserves so much more. And you need to remember that you agreed to go through with this. You’re in too deep to try to back out now.”

  “I’m not doing anything else. I’m out.” He throws his hands up in the air.

  “You’re out huh? Hmmmm….do you think the police will buy into your sudden need to have a conscious?” I place the tip of my finger on my lip. “I’m pretty positive attempted murder isn’t just wiped clean by good intentions. After the fact.”

  “Stop,” he grumbles. Cole covers his face with his forearms; his hands resting on top of his head.

  “What? Too difficult to hear? You almost killed two people Cole. Their blood is on your hands.” I push the verbal knife in a little deeper.

  “I thought she was him.” His voice is muffled, but I can still hear his pathetic excuses for what he’s already done.

  “Do you think they will forgive you for that? Do you think your precious Elyssa will look past the fact that you tried to kill the love of her life?”

  “Stop. Please,” he begs, irritation flaring his nostrils.

  “I can’t wait to see what you look like in an orange jumpsuit.”

  “Stop!” Cole clutches the sides of his head as he erupts in anger.

  My, oh my, this is a side I’ve never seen. It actually turns me on. Maybe he’ll tie me up, get rough a little.

  Knock! Knock! Knock!

  Guess a little red room of pain action will have to be postponed. Business first. I walk to the door and open without looking through the peephole. I must say the similarities between father and son is astounding; dark hair, dimpled cheeks, those fierce blue eyes. If he fucks anything like his son does, I can only imagine I won’t be able to walk for days. I ache with want as my eyes run over his rough features.

  I step back, giving him room to step inside just past the entryway. Obviously the years haven’t been kind to him. Even though he looks so much like Alex, I can see the dark circles around his eyes and his hand me down clothes show exactly what tax bracket he’s in.

  “Cole, I need you to leave.” I instruct without looking back at him. He pauses at the door, taking in the man in front of me before pushing past and slamming the door behind him.

  “Come have a seat.” I gesture towards the couch. He eyes me suspiciously before walking past and making himself at home. “Thirsty?”

  He nods. He looks like a scotch man, so he’ll appreciate the 25 year old Speyburn I’m pouring on the rocks for him. He finishes off the glass before I even have a chance to settle in next to him.

  “Why did you ask me here?”

  “Well, I’ve come to find out that you’ve been sniffing around my company trying to find your son.”

  “What’s it to you?”

  “I think we can be of use to one another.” I run my finger up his thigh before making its way to the inseam of his khakis. He grabs my wrist; I eye hi
m through my lashes.

  “What did you have in mind?”

  “Your son is in love. I can’t have his mind on anything besides work.”

  “Work or you?”

  “One in the same.”

  “What do I get out of it?”

  “I figure you’re here for a reason.” He nods, letting go of my wrist. I quickly unbuckle his pants before eagerly pushing my hand inside his briefs.

  He settles in, resting his head on the back of the couch as he opens his legs farther. Content, he questions the deal, “So, I help you ruin his little girlfriend and I get what I want in return.”

  “Anything your heart desires.”

  “Fine. Let’s start with you dropping to your knees and sucking my cock.”

  I think I may like my new business partner. I drop to my knees, eagerly pulling his pants down, and salivate at the thought. Elyssa thought it was over. But I warned her, time and time again, she didn’t want to fuck with me.

  ~~~~~

  “Mr. Salerno will see you now.”

  I follow the butler down the long hallway before stopping inside a suite decorated in gaudy gold fixtures. Red drapes surround the ceiling to floor windows, allowing very little light to enter the room.

  “Mr. Salerno, Mr. James is here to see you.” The butler gestures to the chair next to the bed.

  It has been a while since I have seen the elder Mr. Salerno. I’d heard stories of his ailing frame, but I didn’t realize how sick he was. I knew he left the day to day operations to Arianna for a reason, but I never imagined he was this ill.

  I sit, watching as he feebly tries to pull himself up to rest against the large pillows. I’ve met Mr. Salerno a handful of times. Mostly during the parties Arianna forced me attend. She got off on fucking in public, especially events she attended with her husband. I didn’t care then, but so much has changed in me. I almost feel the need to apologize to this man for taking what was his. Almost.

  “What can I do for you, Mr. James?” His voice cracks.

  “We need to talk about your wife.”

  “What? Is she riding you too rough? Literally.” He scoffs before coughing into the handkerchief he’s clutching.

  I force myself to stay calm. Is he really saying what I think he is? “You knew?”

  “You’d be surprised what I know.” I wonder if he knows what a fuck up his wife is, and how her whole day is consumed with messing with people’s lives? But then again, if he knows about me and Arianna, then he’s more lucid than I think. Which is definitely a plus.

  “She’s trying to hurt my family.”

  “I didn’t know you had family.”

  “Why would you?”

  “I looked into you when I found out you were fucking my wife.”

  “And?”

  “I found nothing, which explained why you were letting her manipulate you.” Sometimes I try to convince myself that I was manipulating her, but I get the point.

  “Elyssa Hart. You know her?”

  He nods. “She’s my God daughter.”

  “Well, she’s my life. I can’t have Arianna fucking around with my family.”

  “And what do you propose I do?”

  “Well, let me start by telling you a little story…”

  Coming Soon

  The Final Installment of The Hart Series…

  DESTINED HEART

  Late 2014

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR’S

  Co-Author Stephanie Nash is originally from Post Falls, Idaho and is thankful for the peaceful surroundings which gave her stability and sense of direction. Currently residing in North Las Vegas, Stephanie has gotten to experience a life outside of the beautiful Northwest and was given the opportunity to live a life far beyond her expectations. After spending five years as an undergraduate, ending up at UNLV, she decided to take a chance at love and passion and quickly became immersed with her true passions: Writing, Reading and her loving boyfriend of ten years.

  Co-Author Ann Stewart currently lives in Las Vegas with her husband and children. Originally from California, Ann relocated to Las Vegas at a young age and has grown to love the valley since. You can usually find her at work, at school, or hiding somewhere completely immersed in a book. It’s the love of stories that has driven her towards her passion of writing and it’s her dream to share those stories with the world.

  You can reach us at AStewart.SNash.Authors@gmail.com

  Or visit us www.Facebook.com/AStewart.SNash.Authors or on Twitter @AStewartSNash

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  Stephanie Nash

  I have to start out by thanking my wonderful and extremely patient boyfriend, Les, who has never wavered in his support and love. Always pushing me to find what my passion is, Les enabled me to search inside myself and create something that I can honestly be proud of because he is proud of me.

  To all of my parents, here and beyond, you hold a special place in my heart and I wouldn’t be the person I am today, without you. To my brother and his family, even though we aren’t together often, you are a source of inspiration and love. To my brother-in-law and his family, I appreciate your strength and unwavering support. To my sister-in-law and her family, although time and miles keeps us apart, you all are just a part of me as my friends and family here.

  This year we have seen love come out of heartache and tragedy. Without the support from my friends and family (you know who you are), I wouldn’t be where I am today. Words can never express how much you mean to me.

  And to the fans…Without you, there would be no us. Thank you.

  Ann Stewart

  First and foremost I'd like to thank my husband. What's there to say that hasn't been already? You're the glue that keeps our family together, especially when I get so busy that I forget what day of the week it is. I don't know what I'd do without your love and support. Thank you for taking this journey with me and loving me unconditionally.

  To my children...I love you to the moon and back. I hope one day you'll have the opportunity to pursue your dreams. There are no obstacles too big and no mountain too high to get in the way of my fearless threesome.

  To my brother...you may be a pain in the you know what, but I still love you. Thank for supporting me in everything I do. I love you more than Sloth loves Chunk.

  Mom, I wish you were here to share in these exciting times. No matter the distance, I still love you and appreciate everything you've done for me.

  Daddy, you may be far, but you're always near in my heart. I miss you every day. Love you!

  Last but not least, I would like to thank the fans. Thank you for taking this crazy ride with us. The support from Chosen Heart was completely unexpected and I can't tell you how much you have pushed us. It's because of you that our dreams have come true.

  Stephanie & Ann

  We would also like to acknowledge and thank Anna, Blanca, Fani and Rocio, for taking the time to read, take notes, and give us constructive feedback on our second installment to The Hart Series. We appreciate you!

  Along those same lines, we wouldn’t be where we are today without the unwavering support from some of the best Bloggers/Readers.

  Tracey and Karen from K and T Book Reviews, No words can express the amount of support you have given us and even though we have never met, you hold a special place in our lives. Thank you.

  Jenny and Gitte from Totally Booked Blog, thank you for taking a chance on Chosen Heart and letting us into your world.

  Soraya, Imani and the women from SLiTsReads we appreciate everything you’ve done for us by getting the word out on our first book. We hope you enjoy Shattered Heart just as much as you did Chosen Heart.

 

 

 
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